Job creep but no salary adjustment, and also my spine is made of jelly

May 4, 2018 11:28 PM

I wear multiple hats at my job, but some are worth more than others. My employer has gradually been assigning me tasks I’ve already said I would only do for $X, but paying me my standard rate of <$X (“task creep”). How do I assert myself here? Details below!

I am an artist with a day job. Specifically, I do odd-jobs for a person with a disability. I go to their house, help with shopping, cooking, housecleaning, etc. For these tasks, I am paid $19/hour, regardless of the tasks. I am an independent contractor, I don’t have an agency, there is no HR. My boss and I get on very well and when I eventually leave this job I hope we will remain friends.

So, my boss owns their own small business, and many months ago they wanted me to do some basic design jobs, which I studied and practice professionally. Great, I told them my rate for design is $50/hour. Just knowing them, I knew going in they couldn’t afford it (they do NOT have much income and I know they struggle). They said they’d get back to me about it, then ended up hiring someone else to do it cheaper (who then screwed it up, but that’s another story).

Meanwhile, I began to do some social media marketing posts for my boss. I’m just starting out in this, and needed the practice, so I was charging my boss my standard ( $19/hr) rate. I didn’t view this as “design” at the time.

So, maybe I’m bad at boundaries, maybe I hate saying no, all these things are probably true...Long story short, Here I am, doing what really amounts to a rush job designing some promotional materials, for $19/hour. And this is actually pretty unlike me. For design jobs I usually insist on a contract in writing, payment upfront, and I negotiate over email (as it gives me time to think before agreeing to anything).

This particular, underpaid design job is for an upcoming event that is maybe the highlight of my boss’ career thus far.
I should probably finish this particular task this late in the game, because I don’t want my boss freaking out when so much is riding on this event ...But, I’m also feeling just a little resentful. I let myself be taken advantage of by someone I trust. I just want to resolve this issue once and for all.

So how do I approach my employer about this? The caveat being, I know they are struggling (financially, health-wise) and I don’t want to upset them. I want to keep our relationship and their respect. Also, their business success means they will continue to be able to pay me. So I want this event to succeed. But, I need to put a stop to this “job drift.” What do you think I should say/do?

posted by shalom to Work & Money (12 answers total)

It sounds like, as a designer you are out of your boss' budget. And so I think it is unlikely they will pay you $50 per hour for design work. That's on top of the issue that your boss pays you $19 an hour and may (subconsciously?) only value your time at about that price.

I agree that you should finish the tasks you are working on for the event as it feels like you have agreed to do them. But after that you should probably make a choice not to take any design tasks from them and focus your efforts on other clients. The alternative is to make your peace with being paid less than you would normally be paid and negotiate a new rate. Instead of an hourly rate, I would consider framing it on a flat rate per task basis - so I will do x for $y total.
posted by plonkee at 12:40 AM on May 5, 2018 [4 favorites]

I've been in a similar situation, and I'm sorry to say that I don't think there's an easy answer. My boss felt that since I was already being paid [x] to be there and do various tasks, I should be happy to do [different, specialized task for which I usually charge much more]. I think that you're stuck finishing the project you're currently working on, because not doing so will really poison your relationship with your employer. After that, though, I'd either say that you can't help them, or that you'd be glad to cut them a break and do work for [less than $50] in lieu of doing your normal tasks, but that if you need to work on it at home, it'll be your standard rate. Your employer almost certainly won't like it--if you're not close, it might be worth considering a white lie about having signed on with a design agency, and you're contractually disallowed to do any freelance work, you're so sorry you can't help.

For whatever it's worth, I think it's entirely reasonable that you're resentful, and I feel that your employer is taking advantage of you. Employers often like to see people in your position as their friends, and really resent any implication that there's a power imbalance, or that you might need to pay special attention to keeping them happy. It's a really shitty situation, and I'm sorry you're in it.
posted by mishafletch at 1:23 AM on May 5, 2018 [4 favorites]

I would finish this job for your boss at $19 per hour. I would address this afterwards by offering to help Boss find competent graphic design within that budget elsewhere.
posted by DarlingBri at 2:56 AM on May 5, 2018 [8 favorites]

Best answer: I would finish the job (you did agree to it, it sounds like) and then say to your boss "Listen - I was happy to do this job at our standard rate as a favor, however for future design work I charge $50/hr. which is the same as my other clients."

It's a relatively simple thing to say and leaves you on good terms with clear expectations with your boss.
posted by notorious medium at 3:43 AM on May 5, 2018 [25 favorites]

I think you’re leaving out a critical element in how you’re framing this: why do you think your time as a designer is worth $50/h? If you want to do design work and can consistently find clients at $50 then you should go do that instead of odd jobs. If you can’t find those clients very often then your time might not (currently) be worth what you like to think it is. And if you can find plenty of $50 design work but don’t want to do it, that’s yet another problem.

Regardless of your true value as a designer in the market you’re currently participating in, letting your decisions hinge on what a particular client can afford, or on whether they’re struggling or might get upset, is always going to make these things unresolvable. Decide to be either their friend or their professional service provider, because you can’t be all things to this person without giving away too much of yourself.
posted by jon1270 at 4:14 AM on May 5, 2018 [12 favorites]

Provide a professional but appropriately simplified product.
posted by waving at 4:25 AM on May 5, 2018 [1 favorite]

Only you can determine what your time and effort is worth to you. The market place, your customers, determine what your time is worth to them. Hopefully, there is an intersection there.

I am not sure you were taken advantage of in this situation unless you were unable to say no. Is your employer buying your time or paying for specific tasks at an hourly reimbursable rate? If your job requires you to be there say 9-5, 5 days a week and you do whatever is necessary, that is different than you get a call and are asked to come in today to do these tasks at this rate. Determine with your employer whether they are buying chunks of your time or are paying you for specific tasks at a rate. Are you ever at work and have nothing to do even for short periods?
posted by AugustWest at 6:49 AM on May 5, 2018

Best answer: Do a GREAT job for this event! Help your boss!!

I agree that if you had more design clients you would not need to do odd jobs for this person. I think you should do a great job on this design gig, put it towards growing your design business (portfolio, social media "designed by" tags, networking through this event for more clients, whatever) and be super appreciative you have the opportunity.

Next time, charge $25 or $30 per hr for your design skills. I a gree if your skills were worth $50 per hr you would not need the $19 per hr odd job gig. I think you grow your client base by doing jobs and getting your work out there.

It's win-win. Change your perspective on your business model.
posted by jbenben at 7:19 AM on May 5, 2018 [3 favorites]

It sounds like you have some sympathy for Boss, and I think you're stuck and have to finish this particular job, though do not skimp on billing for actual hours. This is your business, you have to wear all the hats, including not doing out of scope work for a client.

I would do some gentle reminding. Boss, I enjoy working with you, and I got enthusiastic about the X job and did that job for you at my 19 rate. I won't be able to do additional design work at such a low rate.
posted by theora55 at 8:23 AM on May 5, 2018 [1 favorite]

Another perspective- it's possible that your client ("boss" in your words) is trying to help you with paid work, and help themselves. Like, maybe paying you $19 an hour is a lot for them, but they are trying to keep it going as long as they can?? If their business is struggling, you help yourself keep your side gig of odd jobs by helping your client make money with great promotional materials... And I still think you should charge an increased rate for design work, just not $50 per hr...

If you are unhappy, get more clients. I think you are squeezing a stone with this person. I hope you flip this around and do your best at the rate your client can afford.

If they can afford $50 per hr and are just being cheap, simply tell them "That won't be possible" the next time they ask you to do anything design related. Just, "no thank you."
posted by jbenben at 10:02 AM on May 5, 2018 [1 favorite]

Do the job for your boss. Give them a written bill for the full $50/hour design fee, plus rush plus any other relevant charges. Include a one time discount (billing $19/hr) with disclaimer that future jobs will be at regular rate.
posted by Sophont at 7:46 PM on May 5, 2018

Are you doing the personal odd-jobs at the same time as this design work?

Forget about $50 vs. $19, you're being /underpaid/ for the total amount of work you're doing.

Odd-jobs: $19
Design work: gratis

It's cool to want to have a friendly relationship with clients and keep up the relationship once the job is over, but that entails boundary issues such as this. Accept it and do the work. If you're not comfortable giving away your design services, firm up those boundaries for next time.
posted by Fukiyama at 6:37 AM on May 6, 2018